India

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to our hotel.

Embark on a tour of New Delhi this morning, visiting the palatial Humayun’s Tomb, architectural precursor to the Taj Mahal; the Parliament Building; Rashtrapati Bhawan, once the awe-inspiring residence of the British viceroys and now the Presidential Palace; and India Gate, built as a memorial to the Indian soldiers killed in World War I. In the afternoon, head to Old Delhi, seat of power for Mughal India in the 12th century. After driving past the Red Fort, visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, and take an exciting rickshaw ride through the bustling business center of Chandni Chowk with its colorful bazaars and narrow lanes. Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at our hotel.

Continue exploring Delhi with a visit to Qutub Minar, a complex whose structures include an ancient, elaborately carved 12th-century minaret and Gandhi Smriti, the sacred site where Mahatma Gandhi died in 1948 and is today a national memorial and museum commemorating his legacy. Attend a special guest lecture on the history and culture of Delhi this afternoon.

Journey to Agra, arriving in time for lunch. In the late afternoon, enjoy a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal, one of India’s most enduring symbols. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this pure-white marble mausoleum is arguably the finest example of Mughal architecture, which combines elements of Islamic, Persian, Ottoman, and Indian styles.

Rise early and return to the Taj Mahal to experience sunrise over one of the world’s great architectural triumphs. After breakfast, explore Agra Fort, a palatial Mughal-era military complex, and one of the best-preserved forts in India. This afternoon, visit the tomb of Itmad-Ud Daulah, a jewel-box structure referred to as the “Baby Taj.” Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure or opt to visit a marble-inlay workshop to see how artisans employ the same techniques that were used to decorate the Taj Mahal. 

Drive to Ranthambore, stopping en route to visit the fabled deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, a World Heritage site. Built by Emperor Akbar as his capital in the late 16th century, the complex displays a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. Arrive in Ranthambore and settle into our comfortable lodge for the evening.

Set out on an exciting safari early this morning. Originally the private hunting ground of the Maharajas, Ranthambore was declared a national park in 1973. Look for sambar, chital, niglai, chinkara, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, and jackal. If we are fortunate, we may even spot the elusive tiger or the shy leopard. In the afternoon, visit Dastkar, a private NGO established to improve the economic and social status of the villagers, particularly women, who were displaced when Ranthambore National Park was established. Later, return to the park for an early evening safari experience.

Following a final morning wildlife ride, depart Ranthambore for Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan and termed the “Pink City” for its rose-hued buildings. Check in to our hotel and enjoy a puppet show—a traditional form of Rajasthani entertainment.

After a photo stop at the striking Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), visit Amber Fort, a fortified palace of massive ramparts and elaborate living quarters, including the dazzling Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors). After lunch, explore the courtyards, gardens, and palatial structures of Jaipur’s City Palace. Also spend time at Jantar Mantar, a 19th-century, open-air astronomical observatory with a 90-foot-high sundial. Return to the hotel or visit a workshop to learn about some of Jaipur’s renowned artisan crafts, including the making of block-print textiles and gemstone-encrusted jewelry.

Fly to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), which once served as the headquarters of the English East India Company and later as the capital of British India. Enjoy lunch on board as we cruise to Bandel, a 16th-century Portuguese stronghold. Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Bandel, one of the oldest Christian Churches in West Bengal, and the Hooghly Imambara, a 19th-century Shiite assembly hall. 

After arriving in Kalna, take a rickshaw ride through this “City of Temples,” then head to the 18th-century terra-cotta Rajbari Complex. There, visit 108 Shiva Temple Complex with its concentric circles of mini-temples and the Pratapeshwar Temple, whose walls depict episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata Hindu epics. Return to our ship and cruise toward Matiari. 

Go ashore in Matiari, a village where more than half the residents are involved in brass work. Continue our journey upstream, to the delightful village of Khushbagh, where we visit the lovely Mogul-style garden enclosing the tomb of the last Nawab of Bengal, who was defeated by the British East India Company at the Battle of Plassey in 1757.

In the idyllic city of Baranagar, explore the Char Bangla Temple Complex before embarking our return journey downstream. Stop in Murshidabad, capital of Bengal during the Mughal period to see the Italianate Hazarduari Palace (“one with a thousand doors”), which today houses a priceless collection of paintings and antiques, including a chandelier from Queen Victoria. Also visit the Katra Masjid, an 18th-century mosque, royal tomb and former madrassa, and the Katgola Gardens, home to the Katgola Jain temple and the richly ornamented Katgola Palace.

Cruise to Mayapur, home to the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement. Mayapur, the birthplace of the spiritual teacher who founded the tradition, is visited by more than a million pilgrims annually. Meet with devotees and visit the temple, shrine and museum dedicated to its founder.

Experience the festival of Vasant Panchami throughout our travels today. Also known as Saraswati Puja, this festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, and wisdom. In West Bengal, the festival is celebrated by wearing yellow and placing tools of education, music, and art in front of the idol. Spend time in Chandernagore, a former French colony dotted with historic, European buildings. Stop in the Institut de Chandernagor to see its collection of rare French antiques and marvel at the beautiful stained-glass windows of the Église du Sacré Coeur. Cruise downstream to Kolkata late this afternoon.

Experience the colorful chaos of the Malick Ghat wholesale flower market and drive by Kolkata’s many colonial-era buildings, stopping to visit the Victoria Memorial, a vast marble edifice constructed to commemorate Queen Victoria. Return to our boat for a farewell lunch and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Following dinner onboard, transfer to the airport for flights home.